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DND: Failure of bidding for PAF's 21 refurbished Hueys


The Department of National Defense (DND) may resort to a negotiated procurement in connection with the planned purchase of 21 refurbished combat utility helicopters after the bidding failed for the third time Friday.

A failure of bidding was declared after the lone bidde failed to comply with the set requirements, according to the DND Bids and Awards Committee.

“It can be a negotiated procurement,” said Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, head of DND-BAC. “It's an option that we are going to consider.”

The purchase of the refurbished UH1H or Huey aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has an approved budget of P1.26 billion.

Under the rules, the committee can enter into a negotiated contract to implement the project when the bidding failed the second time. However, the committee pursued a third bidding when proponents initially showed interest in participating.

The US-based Rice Aircraft Services Inc, which partnered with Eagle Copter, failed to comply with the documentary requirements set by the DND-BAC. It also submitted an unsigned document.

A report on GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” saisd eight companies bought bidding documents but only the joint venture submitted requirements.

The first failed bidding was in December, with the second one in February.

Manalo said the Air Force will be directed to conduct a study on how to proceed with the project, which is part of the long-delayed Armed Forces modernization program.

"While it is unfortunate that we have to declare the (failed) bidding, we are still going to pursue the implementation of this project," he said.

Manalo said the Air Force urgently needs the Huey aircraft especially in disaster and relief operations, as well as in the evacuation of casualties. Equipped with machineguns, Huey helicopters are also used in the transport of troops and logistics during combat operations. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News

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